Forced Love Would Never be Sweet

Alina's POV

I idly examined my freshly done nails.

Lucy quickly piped up, “Yorick, this phone is the one you gave me. It’s got sentimental value. And it’s full of important files. Asking her for one hundred and forty grand in compensation isn’t unreasonable, right?”

That made several people around the table look at her in surprise.

What kind of phone could possibly be worth that much?

“Of course it’s not unreasonable,” Yorick cut in with a cold laugh before anyone else could speak. “This isn’t just about teaching her a lesson. It’s about giving Mr. Porter an explanation. If we can’t handle her today, what right do we have to work with the Porter Group?”

He spoke like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

As such, all eyes turned to me.

“Enough already, Alina,” one of them said. “You’ve embarrassed us in front of Mr. Porter, and he’s kind enough not to hold it against you. Now you have a chance to apologize, and you still won’t?”

“Exactly. Besides, other than watching TV in the office, what else can you do?”

“The company can’t even rely on you, and now you’re holding us back. Do you have any shame?”

One by one, the yes-men joined in, eager to echo Yorick.

I looked at Lucy calmly and said, “Fine. Hundred and forty grand, right? I’ll send it to you now.”

Pulling out my phone, I tapped a few times.

But that set off another round of laughter.

“Are you really that clueless, Alina? You think you can just pay that much like it’s nothing?”

“If you can’t, hurry up and kneel to apologize to the President and Miss Payne!”

“And don’t forget Mr. Porter!”

They thought they were scoring points, each taking their turn to mock me.

Yet I ignored them and simply gestured for Lucy to check her phone.

Suspicious, she unlocked it, only to see a fresh deposit of one hundred and forty grand.

“This…”

But she recovered quickly, giving a sharp little snort. “At least you know your place. Now get out.”

The room fell into stunned silence as they realized I had actually paid.

I raised a brow. “Get out? I’ve covered your phone. Now, shouldn’t we talk about my damages?”

Lucy’s brows pinched together before she pulled a few ten-dollar bills from her purse and tossed them in my face.

“Is that enough? That cheap outfit you’re wearing looks like something from a flea market. Yet you dare talk to me about compensation?” She rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn’t get stuck.

I gave a cold laugh and pulled up the shopping records on my phone.

“Open your eyes and look closely. This suit is a custom Chanel haute couture, hand-embroidered by the current CEO himself. Its value is one million.”

Glancing at the makeup kit on the floor, I continued, “The cosmetics in my bag? Each one is a limited seasonal edition, personally signed by the brand’s president. Add it all up, and we’re looking at over two million. And you’re throwing a few bucks at me? You’re only insulting yourself.”

I fixed her with a frosty stare.

Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water as she stared at my phone in disbelief.

“You… you must’ve tricked Mr. Porter into buying that for you. There’s no way someone like you could afford it!” Her face twisted with anger.

Then she turned desperately to Mr. Porter and added, “Please don’t let this money-grubbing woman fool you, Mr. Porter. You have a wife and kids. You shouldn’t lower yourself to someone so beneath you!”

I knew she was hoping he’d step in to save her from paying up.

But I only gave a soft laugh and turned to the man sitting near the door, whose face was grim.

“Bro, why don’t you tell them yourself. Am I trying to seduce you?”